Zeinat Gelli

Artist Statement

My current body of work consists of figurative and still-life oil paintings that bring to life the imagery of modern African wax-printed textile patterns. This visual language was deeply rooted in my upbringing in a Nigerian household, particularly through my mother, whose early career was spent designing these fabrics. Drawing from the vivid colours and symbolic patterns traditionally used for storytelling and visual communication, I reimagine these elements as tools for exploring personal and societal narratives. Through this process, I seek new ways of deconstructing lived experiences, both my own and those we collectively share.